Game apparatus.



U LB.HA

. GAME APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.9, I9I2. IIENEwED DEC. I9, I9I4.

1,147,931 Patented July 27, 1915.

E...II.."IEIIII` Zilli-III.: 0" ras-:vsQ/.seoIIIaIsIvIsIsILIQIeI A v-Tk To all whom it may concern,

- sfrafrns raras. Frito.

' LEWIS B. ELA, OF WOLLASTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

-Patented July 2*?, 1915..

Application filed September 9, 1912, Serial No. 719,331. Renewed December 19, 1914. Serial No. 878,168.

Be i-t lmown that I, LEWIS B. LA, a citizen of the United States, `'residing at Wollaston,d county of Norfolk, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulv Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.,

This invention relates to game 'apparatus and particularly to an apparatus for playing a game involving the principles and elements of football. l

In the approximation of any sport involving physical exercise by a play apparatus one great diliculty involved is "that of reproducing in the conditions of the play a fair amount of the spirit of the game itself. This success depends on subtle elements. One ofthe features of the game of foot ball which has made it most popular is the Inaneuvering of the teams on the eld and the generalship exercised in directing the successive plays which position the teams inl the contested territory.

In developing my conception of the game of foot ball, las reproduced with play apparatus, I have provided means and manner of play which give both the setting and movement of the game and also permit the discretion of the player to figure in the handling of the situations in which he nds himselfduring the play. I have` accomplished this in brief by providing apparatus in which the ield conditions are faithfully reproduced .and by which the exact movement and positioning of the ball maybe obtained. By using a plurality of indicating devices, I permit selection of l'either method of advancing the ball, z'. e., by running vor by kicking. Furthermore, I so provide the direction devices that they faithfully indicate gains, losses, penalties and thel like with reference to the law of chance unlder actual conditions so that a chance indication becomes on the average a 4faithful reproduction of the actual.

, apparatus will be more fully described in the specification which follows.

In the drawings I have shown the apparatusin an approved form.

Throughout specification and drawings like reference numerals are employed to indicate corresponding'parts, and in the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of my folding board spread out open. Fig. 2 isa side vievvv of my movable marker shaped as a foot ball, and Fig. 3 is a section on the line .3--33 Fig. 2.

The apparatus which constitutes the preferred form of my invention comprises a board formed in two parts, l and '2, and hinged together at 3, so that the parts may be folded over each other. On the board 2 is the field l which is formed as an oblong grid corresponding to the actual field, with a central line M indicating the middle of the field, and a goal line G at each end.4 The field' is laterally subdivided by nine equally spaced lines oneach side between the middle line M and the goal lines Gr. These lines are numbered onY each side 5 to 45, inclusive, by 5 s and correspond to what are known as the 5 yard lines of the actual foot balLield. The field is transversely divided by smaller lines ruled transversely of the 5 yard lines which divide the field into vertical columns numbered from l to 20 inclusive.A These vertical rulings are divided by transverse marks into five subdivisions indicating the yards of each of the 5 yard subdivisions.

The ball is a small piece, preferably of metal, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, comprising an oval shaped top 9 approximating a foot ball in general outline, mounted on a base 92, having transverse pointers 91, which enable the ball 'to be positioned accurately with regard to the l yard marks.

On the part l I form two indicators, 5 and 6, having pointers 7 and 8, which may be whirled on their pivots to give a chance indication upon coming to rest. 'Ihe indicator 5 comprises a circular diagram of twenty-two subdivisions, each of substantially sector shape. 'Ihese subdivisions give in general theordinary play by which the ball is carried, each subdivision being proportioned in accordance with the ordinary law of chance as actually occurring in the game. That is to say the chance that the pointer will stop on any space is substantially the samein any given number of plays as is the chance of that play occurring in hlactual playing of the real game of-foot a; a At substantially opposite positions are two segments labeled Run circle, onebeing' ilo siderable distance, that distance being determined on either of two sets of indications A and B, on the indicator 6, which will be later described.

Following the run circle B, occurring on the right of the diagram 5, the next segment below is marked Fumble. When the pointer 7 stops on this sector the play is supposed to have failed because of therfumble of the ball The next lower sector is marked 8 yards. Then the indicator point 7 stops on this sector, the ball is supposed to be advanced eight yards by ordinary ground gaining.

The next sector is marked- Block kick, lose 10 yards, hold ball, meaning that a kick has been blocked and the ball recovered ten yards behind the line.

The next sector is marked 10 yards the play being supposed to be similar to that of the sector marked eight yards, but with an increased gain.

The next sector is marked Lose 5 yards. When the pointer 7 falls on this sector the ball is carried back five yards from the l point where it was supposed to be put in play.

The next sector is marked Forward p ass, circle A. This means that the play 1s a forward pass the length of which is determined by reference to the areas A, whichVv will be later described in connection with the indicator 6.

The next play is 4 yards, meaning an advance of four yards by ordinary play as heretofore explained.

The next sector is another Blocked kick, with an indicated loss of ten Wards similar to that before described, but with a loss of the ball.

The next twosectors are 5 yards and 9 yards respectively, indicating the gain by ordinary advance of the ball.

The next sector is a Fumble corresponding to that heretofore described. This brings us again to the Run circle A, as has been heretofore mentioned, Which is followed by a sector of 3 yards, again followed by one of 15 yards loss Then follow five sectors indicating gains of respec tively 2O yards, 2 yards, 5 yards,

15 yards and 3 yards.

The next sector indicates a` Fumble with a loss of 10 yards, but with a retention of the ball, and the next sector indicates an ordinary gain of 1 yard.

Outside of these sectorindications are two `bands, extending halfway around them, the

longer one marked Run back circle A, the shorter, Run `back circle BV. These vrefer to the circles A and B of the indicator 6. Opposite to these bands is an area of substantially one-half the circumference marked Goal and when the pointer lands within radii is the word Lose itslbounding radii, a goal is supposed to have been kicked.

The indicator 6 is employed to give the distance covered by all kicks, as well as for long runs and forward passes. The indicator 6 comprises a circular chart divided into three concentric bands, A, B, and O. These bands are divided by six radial lines a, which extend from the center outward to the periphery. The inner circle A is further divided by shorter radii bisecting the arcs of the sectors formed by the radii a. On one side of each of the subdivisions formed by the This indicates that the distance indicated is a loss when the pointer falls on the lose side of the radii 7). 1f it falls on the opposite side the amount indicated is gained. These sectors are denominated 10 15 20, 25 30 and 35 yards. They represent the various distances covered by the shorter kicks, and by forward passes, as well as by through the 'line where a large hole has been opened.

The segments B composing the band line next outside of that just described, are denominated in the longer distances 30 yards, 55 yards, 35 yards 15 yards, L10 yards, and 50 yards. In the 30 yard the 35 yard and the 40 yard segments, a radial subdivision is also made which is marked Fumble This introduces into these greater distances an element of uncertainty corresponding with the chances of the game as they actually exist.

Outside of the sectors B is the band C which is divided into twenty-four sections, numbered from 1 to 20 with the numbers 12 to 15 inclusive also repeated to complete the subdivision. These indicaing of the ball on the field 4.

The game is played according to the gen' eral plan as outlined in the ofiicial foot ball rules as recognized in the United States. 1t will be understood that as these rules are subject to change from year to year, the provisions of my apparatus may require, both as regards my indicator and as regards the details of the field, some corresponding changes.

In starting the game the players place themselves on opposite sides of the board, each behind his own goal line G. The party winning the toss places his ball over the spot K or K1 Whichever may be nearer to his goal line. As the ball is kicked off, the player having the kick olf will spin the pointer 8 of the indicator 6. As soon as the indicator comes to a standstill the indication may be read. In the positionshown in the drawings the indicator points to a kick of forty yards, landing in column 3. Supposing that the ball Was kicked from Kleight spaces would be` counted off and ceeded in running the ball back from the position in which he caught it. The run back band is on the indicator and the opponent therefore spins the pointer'to see whether the player has .been able to run back the ball. AIf the pointer falls in either of the run back bands A or B, the pointer ,8 of the indicator 6 is spunto see how far he has been able to run it back.

It Win tt noted that the tun back tata A of the indicator 5 is much larger than the run back band referring to the circle B. This is because the run back circle A is A for short distances, while the run back7 circle B is for long distances, the chances being of course that the player who catches the ball will be unable-to run back with it very far.

Referring againto the drawings as they stand, it will be seen that the pointer 7,

V down the field by steady gains.

which we will suppose was spun by the opvponent for a run back, failed. It will thereforevbepresumed that the player was downed in his tracks without either gain or loss. The opponents n'cfw having the ball have an option of trying for any one of the various plays provided for in the indicator 5, the greater part of which assures .the possession of the ball from the spinning of the pointer 8 of the indicator 6. After a kick the ball goes into the possession of the other side. According to the usual policy of the game the indicator therefore would be spun in the hope of carrying the ballback The party therefore having possession yof the ball would spin the pointer 7. `We will suppose.

that the pointer landsonvthe f 1 yard segments. The ball is therefore moved from the 20 'yard line to the indicated 21 yards. point. t

It Win btunattstootii that attording to the present rules the ball must be advanced for a gain of ten yards in four downs If a distance of ten yards is not covered in the four trys thel ball is forfeited. Under the supposed conditions noted, the player will have had one -try and will only have gone one yard of thtl ten which/lie has supposed to have gone. As he has three more downs he will probably spinthe pointer v7 again. We will suppose for example that on this attempt the pointer 7 falls on the 15 yard sector. rl`he ball is then advanced to the 36 yard point and the play becomes the firstdown as the requiredv ten yards have been made. j y

We will suppose that on the next play the pointer 7 shall fall on the sector whichis indicated in the drawings and labeled Fumble,'1ost 10 yards, hold ball. In accordance with this play theball would be carried back ten yards to the 26 yard point as it is supposed to have beendropped and recovered at that point.' This leaves the opponent in possession of the ball, and as ten yards have been lost he now has twenty yards-to gain in three more downs.

We will supposefthat onfthe neXt `two plays the pointer 7 falls at 2 yards and 5 yards respectively. As this only makes a total advance of seven yards, according to the usual policy the player would then try for a kick. For this purpose the pointer 8 of the-indicator 6 would be spun. F or the purpose of voluntary kicks the segments B are employed without regard to the winning or losing side of the radii B. A voluntary vkick is therefore certain to gain somewhere from thirty to fty-five yards, provided that the pointer does not fall on one of the three fumble spaces. f This offers the advantage which kicking actually pffers in the game, but like the real game places the ball in pos'- session'of the opposing team. In this way',

thegame is carried through, the ball being moved in one direction or the other toward the goal line G,`a=nd being placed laterally in the columns 1 to 20, inclusive, whenever a long run or a kick is made.

e The score is counted in the usual manner for touch downs, after which the side mak-i ing the touch downs spins the pointer 7 to see ywhether or not a goal is kicked.

The play works out in exact counterpart of the actual game, and the time of the game ,l y

may be set in accordance with the desires off' the player. i

tVarious modifications may obviously be made in the details of the divisions or in the f form and arrangement Qf-the field, all without departing from the spirit of my invention if within the limits of the appended claims.

What l therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A foot ball game apparatus'comprising a sectioned field, a movable marker', and two independent chance devices, one having suitable indicia providing for the advance of the ball by kicking with a preponderance of indicated chance of losing possession of the ball, and the other having indicia primarily relating to the, advance of the ball by other means and having a preponderance of indicated chance of retaining the possession of the ball. M 2. A foot ball game apparatus comprising a sectioned field, a movable marker, and two independent chance devices, one having as an element an indication of the beginning of a play involving a considerable duration of time as a forward pass or the like, and

the other an indication of the ultimate fail? cated plays showing the carrying of the ball4 by rushing for different distances, indicated possibilities of the loss of the ball, indicated possibilities of the carrying of the ball for an unindicated distance with reference to the second chance device, indicated possibilities of kicking the ball for an unindicated distance with reference to said second chance device, indicated possibilities of advancing the ball by forward pass for an unindicated distance with referenceto said second chance device, indicated losses; said second chance device containing the indications for distance for voluntary kicks, indicated loss of the ball by fumble or otherwise having a minimum chance relation to said distance indications, indicated distances for forward passes each having a substantially equal indication of chance of failure or success.

4L. A foot ball game apparatus having possibilities for arbitrary play selection according to the individual judgment of the player comprising a sectioned play field, a movable marker, and two independent chance devices referable one to the other, one of said devices characterized by two independent play determining areas each bearing suitable indicia, one of said areas primarily providing for indicated long distance advancement of the ball by kicking' with a preponderance of chances of losing possession of the ball, the other of said areas v primarilyv providing for indicated short distance advancement of the ball by kicking or forward passing with substantially equal chances of failure or success, and the other of said chance devices characterized by areas referable respectively to the play determining areas of the first described device and by areas with indicated possibilities of advancing the ball by tactics other than kicking with gain or loss and distances suitably proportioned according to the chances in the actual game.

5. A foot ball game apparatus having possibilities for arbitrary play selection according to the individual judgment of the player comprising a sectioned play field, a movable marker, and two independent chance devices referable one to the other, one of said devices characterized by two independent play determining areas each bearing suitable indicia, one of said areas primarily providing for indicated long distance advancement of the ball by kicking with a preponderance of chances ofy losing possession of the ball but with indicated ballA recoverydesignations having a minimum chance relation to said distance advancements, the other of said areas primarily providing for indicated short distance advancement of the ball by kicking or forward passing with substantially equal chances of failure or success and withr minimum possibility of losing possession of the ball, and the other of said chance devices characterized by areas referable respectively to the play determining areas of the first described device and by areas with indicated possibilities of advancing the ball by tactics other than kicking with gain or loss and distances suitably proportioned according to the chances in the actual game.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses. f

LEwis B. ELA. Witnesses VICTORIA LowDEN, RUTH B. ELLMS. 

